Longyuanhao Yiwu Limited Pressing 2006

Sipdown, 126. Gongfu this afternoon.

With my first steeps, I was reminded that, no matter how much I try, I just don’t dig puerh in any form. It’s not that it tastes bad to me, I just don’t love the flavor. The first steeps of this were also a bit oversteeped (kind of bitter) given the amount of leaf in the pot, and perhaps the amount of broken leaf from the bottom of the pouch (even though they were 4-6 second steeps). But then there was a totally awesome floral, osmanthus-like aftertaste lingering in my mouth. Hmm.

My third steep I did a super quick, pour in pour out, couple second steep, which was mellower but still had a bite I didn’t love. But once again there was this awesome floral aftertaste that came out a few minutes after I finished drinking the steep. It really reminded me of something but I can’t place it, and it’s kind of driving me nuts. Although I don’t really care for the bulk of the sip itself, the lingering florals are so lovely that I am definitely enjoying this tea a lot more this time. Interesting!

This is from the Verdant Reserve TOMC. Due to it’s dark color, I originally thought this was going to be a Shu Puer, but all the other Yiwu’s I’ve tried have been Shengs, so I was a little unsure. Reading the tasting notes, there was no indication either. But the steeping instructions make it sounds more like a sheng. So I steeped. It is a Sheng, without a doubt. I’ve been enjoying it all afternoon. Here’s the basics of my tasting notes:
Dry appearance: Dark brown & gold leaf
Dry Aroma: Fresh bale of straw, loaded with mintiness, as if mint were growing in the field when it was mowed.
Wet aroma: Ohh..ahhh…sweet caramel apple!
3G + 4oz X 5 sec (plus 2 per each steep afterwards)

So the early steepings were nice, sweet, & aromatic. Definitely got a eucalyptus thing going on. There’s almost a genmaicha underflavor as well. This is probably the sweetest sheng I’ve tried, with a nice rounded out flavor, & I’m really digging the aromatic quality, which is tingling my tongue & my sinuses, & spreading throughout my system, along with a nice Chaqi feeling. One of the reasons I enjoy Sheng in the late afternoon is the sense of clarity it tends to bring on. Right now I’m feeling very clear headed, very ‘fresh’, revived & focused!

I enjoyed this sheng today, thank you TerriHarpLady for the sample!

I found the first steep lightly smoky, and all of the steeps sweet and woodsy. Makes me wish I could spend time outside even more! It is so cool and nice outside today for July. Stuck inside in front of the computer for another hour, meh.